BlackRock continues investment meetings with companies amid stricter SEC rules

BlackRock Inc. has resumed its investment stewardship meetings with companies after a brief pause to review new Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines. The New York-based firm confirmed the restart in a Thursday statement.

Last week, the asset manager paused engagements with the corporate sector temporarily, and announced the restart this week. 

According to BlackRock, this temporary hold allowed the world’s largest asset manager to assess rules that place stricter requirements on firms aiming to influence the conduct of companies in which they invest. 

“We are complying with the new requirements including by highlighting our role as a ‘passive’ investor at the start of each engagement,” the company said. “BlackRock does not use engagement as a way to control publicly traded companies.”

The SEC, now under new leadership since President Donald Trump took office, issued guidance that could treat investors seeking to shape environmental, social, or political matters more like activist hedge funds. 

These changes mean that asset managers may face more extensive disclosure and regulatory scrutiny if they push for specific corporate actions.